Aston Villa's Paul Lambert believes he is reaping the benefits of not signing older players last term when the club was struggling to avoid relegation.

As his Villans prepare for Sunday's visit to Fulham, who have the oldest squad in the top-flight with an average age of 29, Lambert said: “People said to me last year we had no experience when we were in the bottom three.

“But Fulham is probably the most experienced and they are in the bottom three.

“It can happen, it doesn’t matter if you are inexperienced or an alleged top player. If you don’t perform that is what can happen.

“We try to get players who are hungry to succeed. They are young and learning but are getting better and better.”